The Year That Was: Looking Back at 2013 – Part 2

The second four months of 2013 were again busy for Linn County residents. A retiring City official was profiled, local graduates tossed their mortar board caps, the costs for the Airport's runway extension were estimated, and the Bucklin Park was sparked.

The second four months of 2013 were again busy for Linn County residents. A retiring City official was profiled, local graduates tossed their mortar board caps, the costs for the Airport's runway extension were estimated, and the Bucklin Park was sparked.

May 2013

May started off with a pair of profiles. First, the LCL profiled Richard (Dick) Cochran. Mr. Cochran was an Olympian, and one of the few to come from Missouri. The Brookfield High School track facilities were renamed in his honor. The second profile was of Dave Hane, the longtime Police Chief and City Manager of Brookfield. Hane retired in 2013 after a long term of service to the Brookfield community.

On May 8, 13 and 15, local graduation ceremonies were covered in the LCL. The commencement ceremonies featured were those of Brookfield R-3, Marceline R-5, Linn County R-1, Meadville R-4, Bucklin R-2, Macon County at New Cambria, and Northwestern R-1 at Mendon.

The month wrapped up with a report from the State Track Championship. The event saw a pair of locals crowned State Champions. Alesa Frey took first place in the girls' pole vault, and Sassie Matzen took first in the 800m, both for the Brookfield Lady Dogs Track Team.

June 2013

On June 7, residents were met with the news that the previous winter's heavy snowfall had alleviated the drought conditions that had plagued Linn County that year. Water levels all around the area were back to normal, which was a good bit of news for all concerned.

On June 10, the initial costs for the runway extension at the North Central Missouri Regional Airport came in. These costs would change a couple of times before construction started, reflecting the actual costs of the project.

In a three-part series on June 17, 19 and 21, Dustin Watson profiled the effects of Sequestration on the people of Linn County. The areas affected included OATS and Head Start. The effects were not felt at local schools or the Linn County Health Department, thanks to good planning on the part of these entities.

Also on June 21, it was revealed that the Linn County E-911 Board was looking to move their new Operations Center into the Business Complex in Marceline. As of the writing of this recap, a final decision on this matter had not been made.

The month ended with a story about Brookfield IDA Director Becky Cleveland being named Missouri Economic Development Council President for the year.

July 2013

July began as it does every year, with the Marceline Fouth of July week-long festival. The fireworks were on display both in the sky, and in the LCL, and the annual Tiger Auction raised a lot of money for the Booster Club.

On July 8, Chris Houston profiled Lee Hunter, a World War II Veteran. Hunter served in the war in the Pacific, and worked on a destroyer that took on a Japanese Battleship and survived.

Page 2 of 2 - On July 12, JJ Abongo's journey to compete in the Blue-Grey game was featured in the LCL. This began a stellar senior season for Abongo, which culminated in All-District football honors for the Brookfield native.

On July 19, a ceremony was recapped in the LCL by Chris Houston of Don Walsworth officially donating the land for the NCRMA Runway Extension to the North Central Missouri Regional Airport Board.

August 2013

August started off with a spark, literally, as the "Put Some Spark in Our Park" project in Bucklin was completed. This crowd-funded project saw new concrete for the basketball courts, and a lot of new playground equipment installed at the Bucklin City Park.

On August 9 and 28 the arguments for and against the overturning of Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of House Bill 253 were discussed in the LCL. Initially, the voices of local school boards and administrators were heard speaking out against this proposed change to Missouri's tax system. The latter article, however, was a rebuttal from Rep. Mike Lair (R-Chillicothe) that was an impromptu presentation at the Brookfield R-3 School Board meeting.

On August 16, U.S. Congressman Sam Graves visited the newly-opened Brickouse Bar and Grill in Brookfield. Many issues were discussed in Rep. Graves' latest visit to the area, including "Obamacare," food stamps, and the Farm Bill.

On August 21, it was announced that the City of Marceline had gotten out of the Prairie State Contract. The financial terms of this contract had put the City's financial future in doubt. The City is still selling their own electricity, and reached a financial settlement that allowed it out of their original arrangement with Prairie State.

The month ended on a sad note on August 28, with news of the passing of Linn County R-1 graduate Jonathon Hostetter. PFC Hostetter was killed in action in Afghanistan when an IED exploded, ending his life. He was brought home soon thereafter, in a procession that saw American flags lining the highway from Laclede to Milan.